A Little Thing Called First Love Thailand Sub Indo

[Henrietta Naughton]

Thepandemic wasn't only a hit to their tourism but a major hit to the citizens and development of the island. Those effects were still plaguing Bali (and the world, let's be honest) when I made my trip two years after the start of the pandemic.

One thing that's really important to note is that you should not drink tap water in Bali or allow it to get into your mouth in any way. My Airbnb had a water dispenser that was refilled every time it was low, and we used it to brush our teeth and as drinking water. You also have to be very mindful when you shower not to get any water into your mouth because it could make you sick. However, all of this is avoidable by using bottled and filtered water, which will be available to you anywhere you go that calls for it. And you don't have to worry about ice in your drinks because that is government-regulated and made with purified water. I had no problems with showering or finding clean drinking water that I trusted. This is one minor inconvenience that certainly has a workaround, and in my opinion, it shouldn't deter you from going.

Unlike what was stated in one of the linked TikToks above, there isn't "only one road in Bali." That was obviously an exaggeration and one the island can't really afford. The roads are actually in better condition than most pothole-ridden streets I've seen in the US; the problem is the means of transportation and the size of the roads. I definitely found myself stuck in quite a bit of traffic here and there but those roads weren't built to be traveled by the number of people that visit the island today. It's definitely put a strain on all things transportation, especially because the roads are so tight. Traveling by car and the lack of community airport transportation for the millions of visitors, on top of the island's local population, are the things that really hold the traffic up.

Bali has a version of Uber that allows you to call a scooter or car to get you to your destination, and honestly, taking the scooters everywhere was one of my favorite parts of the whole trip (it's also faster than taking a car). I always try to keep in mind that I'm only visiting, even if it's for two weeks, a month, or six months. People have lived there their whole lives; if they're able to manage, what could possibly happen to me with the proper understanding of what I need to do? While it's certainly an infrastructure problem in general, it isn't going unnoticed by the Balinese government.

The first thing I feel is important to mention is that I personally never felt any less safe in Bali than I do as a Black woman in America. I actually didn't feel unsafe in Bali at all. We did have an encounter with a creepy man, but as women, we handled it. I never willfully go anywhere alone or allow myself to be in an unsafe situation if I can prevent it, especially if I'm in an unfamiliar area. Bali is a beautiful place with beautiful culture and unmatched scenery, and just like any city you go to, there will be a level of crime that literally just comes with being part of the human race. For example, I was told by many people to walk with my purse on my shoulder, away from the street, so people on scooters don't try to snatch it. That isn't a Bali problem; that's something I've actually known to do since I started carrying a purse. Be mindful of your belongings and don't travel around by yourself; that goes for any unfamiliar place that you visit!

Indonesia has some of the strictest anti-drug laws in the world. They literally are not playing around when it comes to drugs, and they even put marijuana on the same level as hard narcotics. However, when it comes to the premarital sex and cohabitation law that has made itself known to have a potential effect on tourism, the huge misconception is that this same law applies to tourists, which it does not. The law also won't come into effect for another two years, and you have to be reported by a close family member for any action to be taken. Now, I'm not trying to say that the infiltration of religion into Bali's government isn't a problem, because it absolutely is, but I am here to give you the facts when it comes to choosing Bali as a place to vacation, and Indonesia's government has been very clear about the spread of misinformation that had people saying "I don't want to visit the island."

From the beaches to the rice fields to the stunning traditional homes that line the streets, the scenery in Bali was something that took my breath away every time I stepped outside. Understanding that I was in a developing country, but also in one of the most naturally beautiful places to ever exist, it was easy for me to not make the whole ordeal about the man-made buildings around me. The scenery is truly unbeatable, even with things like construction, abandoned or torn-down buildings, and trash. Some areas are far more developed than others, but the important thing about places like this is the nature and their culture. Don't let yourself get too caught up in the fact that the random buildings surrounding you don't look like you want them to; there's just so much more to see and immerse yourself into.

This is going to be facts for literally anywhere you go. If you're unfamiliar with a place, don't just walk into an eating establishment and assume that everything there will perfectly align with American standards. Yelp and TripAdvisor are the best ways to make sure where you're going is up to par. There are always going to be other people who have tried the place before you; make sure you read all of the reviews and check the ratings of anywhere you're unfamiliar with and want to visit. I had the most amazing food in Bali, and never once did it make me sick. The seafood is so fresh and completely out of this universe, and the coffee will actually make you realize what they're giving us in America is NOT the coffee other people are consuming in this world, and I implore you not to go somewhere that you can have back home. Also, I've heard of this thing called "Bali belly", but I didn't get sick from any of the food or drinks. As travelers, we can't live or eat exactly like the locals do because our bodies likely aren't used to many of the ingredients and spices that are customary in Balinese cuisine. But rest assured there are TONS of dining options in Bali, like Michelin-star-level ones too; you just have to find one that is popular and trustworthy.

The best thing about the nightlife in Bali is the fact that they're low-key behind on music, so they were still bumping stuff like "Born This Way" like it's 2011. If you like to enjoy a little nightlife, you'll definitely find an abundance of that. From bars to beach clubs to beer gardens, there are tons of options for you based on what you like and the aesthetic you want to give for the night. You also might find out that some pretty cool people will come perform. While I was there and even after I left, Diplo performed at two of their famous beach clubs.

And if you want to see an amazing drag show, trust that there's a space for that, too. We actually found out about the drag shows the first night we got there (and if you know me, this very much tracks). The gay bars were always packed to the brim, a complete blast, and full of new friends. There is literally something there for everyone, and as I said, people are so kind. I can't even count how many buddies I made just by going out and enjoying everything there was to offer.

Based on the research we did, we found out that Kuta was the area that tourists frequented the most, so from there we decided we wanted to stay near that area but not completely in it, and that's how we found the beautiful town of Seminyak. We knew for the first time that we wanted to stay around a main tourist area that had a lot of hustle and bustle, and the Kuta, Legian, and Seminyak areas located in South Bali were exactly that. We stayed in a beautiful Airbnb villa that was about a five-minute walk away from Seminyak Beach, which was a must for us. Take that extra time to find exactly what you're looking for, because it IS out there. Bali has a lot of different areas you can stay in. There is an abundance of villas that are rented out as Airbnbs, but there are also plenty of resorts and hotels that people will be fairly familiar with in a lot of different areas that cater to your activities and preferences (golfing, surfing, luxury, budget, etc.). It all just comes down to you being real about what works best for you, researching, and reading the reviews, which is just a rule of thumb for everything: READ THE REVIEWS!

This is the part that really got me. Whether you choose to stay in the city, in the jungle, by the rice fields, or by the cliffs, you will have wildlife. So, of course, in places like Ubud, you're in the straight-up jungle. There will be monkeys trying to steal your things; there will be ginormous spiders and probably snakes (especially in the rice fields) as well. I didn't stay there. I'm not Steve Irwin. I had enough trouble as it was with the large number of geckos that surrounded the villa. The house staff thought it was so funny when my sister and I explained that we had locked a gecko in the upstairs bathroom only to never see it again or how when we opened the cabinet under the sink, a gecko ran out. I also had the pleasure of opening my bedroom door to find one just chillin' on my wall... I was never okay with it. I ran and screamed the whole time. But I'm also a scaredy cat when it comes to reptiles; they really give me the heebs, and the geckos are completely harmless.

So, if you are, in fact, Steve Irwin reincarnated and you know you won't be bothered by the little critters, the more rural areas might be exactly where you want to go! It's all up to your personal preference and then finding the best option for you from there.

3a8082e126